Method and system for minimizing vibration in a multi-pump arrangement
First Claim
1. A method of minimizing vibration in an operating multi-pump system of multiplex pumps, the method comprising:
- determining a vibration-related lower bound of pressure variation for the multi-pump system through at least one of running the multi-pump system for a brief initial period of time and running a simulation of the multi-pump system;
after determining the vibration-related lower bound of pressure variation, operating each multiplex pump of the multi-pump system;
recording vibration-related information during operation of the multi-pump system;
introducing a series of differing perturbations to the multi-pump system through a pump subset of the multi-pump system to generate new vibration-related information; and
upon attaining approximately the vibration-related lower bound of pressure variation while operating the multi-pump system at a given perturbation of the series of differing perturbations discontinuing further introduction of perturbations to the multi-pump system to enable continued operation of the multi-pump system at approximately the vibration-related lower bound of pressure variation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A technique for reducing harmonic vibration in a multiplex multi-pump system. The technique includes establishing a lower bound of system specific vibration-related information such as via pressure variation or other vibration indicator. Establishing the lower bound may be achieved through simulation with the system or through an initial sampling period of pump operation. During this time, random perturbations through a subset of the pumps may be utilized to disrupt timing or phase of the subset. Thus, system vibration may randomly increase or decrease upon each perturbation. Regardless, with a sufficient number of sampled perturbations, the lower bound may be established. Therefore, actual controlled system operations may proceed, again employing random perturbations until operation of the system close to the known lower bound is substantially attained.
30 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of minimizing vibration in an operating multi-pump system of multiplex pumps, the method comprising:
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determining a vibration-related lower bound of pressure variation for the multi-pump system through at least one of running the multi-pump system for a brief initial period of time and running a simulation of the multi-pump system; after determining the vibration-related lower bound of pressure variation, operating each multiplex pump of the multi-pump system; recording vibration-related information during operation of the multi-pump system; introducing a series of differing perturbations to the multi-pump system through a pump subset of the multi-pump system to generate new vibration-related information; and upon attaining approximately the vibration-related lower bound of pressure variation while operating the multi-pump system at a given perturbation of the series of differing perturbations discontinuing further introduction of perturbations to the multi-pump system to enable continued operation of the multi-pump system at approximately the vibration-related lower bound of pressure variation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of performing an application in a well at an oilfield with the assistance of a multi-pump system of multiplex pumps, the method comprising:
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determining a vibration-related lower bound of pressure variation for the multi-pump system through at least one of running the multi-pump system for a brief initial period of time and running a simulation of the multi-pump system; operating each pump of the multi-pump system; introducing a series of differing perturbations to a pump of the multi-pump system to determine a resulting change in pressure variations in the multi-pump system; continuing this series of differing perturbations until a given perturbation results in approximately the vibration-related lower bound of pressure variation to thus reduce vibration during operation of the multi-pump system; maintaining operation of the multi-pump system with the given perturbation to enable continued operation of the multi-pump system at the vibration-related lower bound of pressure variation and thus with reduced vibration; and performing the application in the well. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A multi-pump system for use at an oilfield, the system comprising:
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a plurality of multiplex pumps for supplying a pressurized fluid to a well at the oilfield for an application therein; at least one sensor for acquiring vibration-related information from the system during operation thereof; a control unit for obtaining the vibration related information to establish a vibration-related lower bound of pressure variation in the plurality of multiplex pumps based on at least one of running the plurality of multiplex pumps for a brief period of time and running a simulation of operation of the plurality of multiplex pumps; and an interface at a regulation pump of the plurality to randomly and momentarily change rpm thereof as directed by the control unit during subsequent operation of the plurality of multiplex pumps to introduce a series of perturbations to a multiplex pump of the plurality of multiplex pumps until introduction of a given perturbation results in substantially attaining the vibration-related lower bound of pressure variation for the system to enable continued operation of the plurality of multiplex pumps at approximately the vibration-related lower bound of pressure variation. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification